Mailbox delivery indicator assembly and method of use

ABSTRACT

A mailbox delivery indicator assembly is provided comprising a flag connected to a rod member, the rod member connected to a spring, the spring connected to a mailbox connection member, and a retention assembly in communication with the rod member. A method of using a mailbox delivery indicator assembly is also provided.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to mailboxes. More specifically, the present invention relates to an delivery indicator assembly which operates in conjunction with a mailbox.

BACKGROUND

Mail receptacles for receiving incoming mail at a home, residence or business are known in the art. A mail receptacle may be positioned in a variety of places, including, but not limited to, placement of a mail slot in a door, direct attachment of a letterbox to a building for door-to-door mail delivery, or curbside placement of a mailbox enabling mail delivery from a vehicle.

A curbside mailbox often includes features not present in a mail slot or building mounted letterbox. For example, the Jorolemon mailbox, which is a curbside mailbox design recognizable by its curved, tunnel-shape top, may include a semaphore arm and/or a latching door. These features are directed to streamlining vehicular mail delivery. Specifically, the semaphore arm indicates the presence of outgoing mail to the letter carrier or postal service employee. Further, the latching door provides a postal service employee fast and efficient access to an enclosed tunnel within the mailbox used for holding and protecting outgoing and incoming mail from adverse weather conditions. Unfortunately, curbside mailboxes do not provide features enabling consistent notification or signaling of mail delivery to a mail recipient. For example, while the lowering of the semaphore arm by the postal service employee when outgoing mail is collected may signal mail delivery, if no outgoing mail was placed in the mailbox, the semaphore arm will remain in the lowered position. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a device which would consistently signal or notify a mail recipient of mail delivery.

A device signaling or notifying a mail recipient of mail delivery can be an important feature for individuals suffering with physical disabilities. For example, traveling to a curbside mailbox can be a difficult and time consuming task for a person who relies upon a wheelchair for mobility. The person must prepare to travel outdoors, which may involve acquisition and placement of additional garments. Further, additional time and preparation is necessary during adverse weather conditions, for example during heavy precipitation or icy conditions. Accordingly, a mail delivery notification device would avoid difficulty and waste of time by an individual preparing and traveling to a mailbox only to learn the mail has not been delivered.

In addition, a mail delivery notification device can be a safety feature for individuals suffering from cognitive disorders. For example, a noticeable symptom of a person suffering from Alzheimer's disease or dementia is short term memory loss. This often arises as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts and the inability to acquire new information. As such, an individual afflicted with such a disorder may repeatedly travel to the curbside mailbox as the individual is unable to remember if the mail has been delivered or the result of the previous trip to the mailbox. With each trip, the afflicted individual may be at risk of injury, for example from oncoming traffic or from a fall. Accordingly, a mail delivery notification device would allow an individual receiving mail to avoid unnecessary exposure to potential injury by providing notification that mail has been delivered.

The use of signaling devices on mailboxes is known in the art. However, each has substantial limitations. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,064 to Shively discloses a mail box delivery indicator flag. However, in operation and use, the device disclosed by Shively requires an affirmative act by the postal service employee delivering mail. Specifically, the postal service employee must physically adjust and raise the disclosed flag signaling mail delivery. However, a postal service employee or letter carrier has no duty to take any extra affirmative steps to operate a signaling device, as the letter carrier is only required to deliver mail. This may lead to nonuse of a device similar to the one disclosed in the '064 patent. In addition, it is not practical to place additional burdens or work upon a letter carrier or postal service employee. The United States Postal Service may have regulations limiting what a letter carrier or postal service employee can do while on the job, effectively disallowing a letter carrier from performing non-dictated tasks. Further, due to job reductions, a letter carrier or postal service employee is being asked to carry additional job responsibilities which used to be covered by additional employees. These additional responsibilities result in additional demands on a letter carrier or postal service employee, resulting in a reduction in available time to perform nonessential or unnecessary job functions. Thus a letter carrier or postal service employee may be less likely to perform any task that is not required by their job responsibilities, such as operating a delivery indicator device. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a device which would automatically signal mail delivery or notify a mail recipient without any extra acts being performed by the letter carrier or postal service employee delivering mail. Further, it would be desirable to have a device which would automatically signal mail delivery or notify a mail recipient when a letter carrier or postal service employee opens a mailbox door.

Further, the other devices in the art do not have signals which are large in size and easy to see from a distance, can be attached to any type or style of mailbox and/or can be placed anywhere on a mailbox. Accordingly, an improved mail delivery indicator device and method of use is provided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A mailbox delivery indicator assembly is provided for notifying a mail recipient of mail delivery. The assembly includes a flag connected to a rod member. The rod member is connected to a spring. The spring is connected to a mailbox connection member. Further, a retention assembly is in communication with the rod member.

In another embodiment of a mailbox delivery indicator assembly, the assembly includes a signal having a channel and a rod member having a first end and a second end, the first end of the rod member is received by the channel of the signal. A biasing member is in communication with the second end of the rod member. A connection member is in communication with the biasing member. In addition, a retention assembly in communication with the rod member.

A method of using a mailbox delivery indicator assembly is also provided. The method includes the steps of opening a mailbox door on a mailbox, applying a force on the mailbox delivery indicator assembly sufficient to place a bias on a biasing member, placing a retention assembly of the mailbox delivery indicator assembly between the mailbox and mailbox door, closing the mailbox door; and compressing the retention assembly between the mailbox door and the mailbox.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a mailbox having a delivery indicator assembly attached thereto in the undelivered mail position in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the mailbox of FIG. 1 having the delivery indicator assembly attached thereto in the delivered mail position.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the mailbox and delivery indicator assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the mailbox and delivery indicator assembly of FIG. 1, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the mailbox and delivery indicator assembly of FIG. 1, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following presents one or more examples of embodiments of a mailbox delivery indicator assembly 100. For ease of discussion and understanding, the following detailed description and illustrations refer to the mailbox delivery indicator assembly 100 for use with a mailbox 140 illustrated as a Jorolemon type mailbox. It should be appreciated that “mailbox” is provided for purposes of illustration, and the mailbox delivery indicator assembly 100 may be used with any type, style or arrangement of a mailbox approved for use by the United States Postal Service or any other postal service governing body.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a mailbox delivery indicator assembly 100 in accordance with one of more examples of embodiments of the present invention. The indicator assembly 100 may include a rod member 101. The rod member 101 may include a first end 111 and a second end 112. The rod member 101 may be formed of stainless steel having sufficient rigidity to sustain the application of force necessary to move the indicatory assembly 100 between an undelivered position and delivered position while maintaining structural integrity. Further, the rod member 101 may also be suitable for outdoor use, including, but not limited to, resistance to corrosion or wear caused by adverse weather conditions or the elements. In one or more examples of embodiments, the rod member 101 may be formed of die cast aluminum, injection molded plastic, composite material or by any other known and suitable materials, processes or methods of sufficient strength to support operation of the mailbox delivery indicator assembly 100. Further, in one or more examples of embodiments, the rod member 101 may be pliable or flexible to allow for some distortion of the rod member 101 during operation and use of the indicator assembly 100.

Connected to the first end 111 of the rod member 101 may be a flag or signal device 102. The flag 102 may include a pocket or channel or sleeve 122 for removably receiving the rod member 101. The sleeve 122 may have an inner diameter sized to correspond and operably mate with the rod member 101, and specifically an outer diameter of the rod member 101. The sleeve 122 may extend the entire height or only a portion of the height of the flag 101. In one or more examples of embodiments, the flag 102 may be connected to the rod member 101 by alternate methods, including, but not limited to, adhesive, a ferrule or ring received by the flag 102 and adapted to receive the rod member 101, or other permanent or semi-permanent attachment method with sufficient strength to allow operation of the indicator assembly 100. The flag 102 may be formed of nylon, polyester, or any other natural or synthetic material. The flag 102 may be any single or combination of colors, including, but not limited to, orange, yellow, red or white. Further, the flag 102 may include reflective material to increase visibility in a low light environment. In one or more examples of embodiments, the flag 102 may be square, rectangular, polygonal or any shape or size sufficient for a mail recipient to see the flag 102 from a distance. Further, in one or more examples of embodiments, the flag 102 may have sufficient rigidity or stiffness to protrude or extend from the rod member 101 while in the delivered position.

Connected to or receiving the second end 112 of the rod member 101 may be a biasing member or spring 103. The spring 103 may be connected to the rod member 101 by weld. In one or more examples of embodiments, the spring 103 may be connected to the rod member 101 by alternative methods, which may include, but are not limited to, bolt and nut, rivet, adhesive, and integrally incorporating the spring 103 and rod member 101 as a unitary member. In one or more examples of embodiments, the spring 103 may be formed of stainless steel, die cast aluminum, injection molded plastic, composite material or by any other known and suitable materials, processes or methods of sufficient strength to support operation of the indicator assembly 100. Further, in one or more examples of embodiments, the indicator assembly 100 may not include the spring 103, and instead may include rod member 101 having an amount of resiliency and able to sustain an amount of bias sufficient to operate the indicator assembly 100 as disclosed herein.

Connected to the spring 103 may be a mailbox connection member 104. The connection member 104 may be integrally formed with the spring 103 as a unitary member. In one or more examples of embodiments, the connection member 104 may be connected to the spring 103 by alternative methods, which may include, but are not limited to, weld, rivet, a threaded assembly and adhesive. In one or more examples of embodiments, the connection member 104 may be a bolt. Further, in one or more examples of embodiments, the connection member or bolt 104 may have a head portion and a shaft portion. In one or more examples of embodiments, the spring 103 is adapted to receive a portion of the connection member or bolt 104. The head portion may have an outer diameter greater than the shaft portion. In turn, a portion of the spring 103 may have an inner diameter which slightly larger than the outer diameter of the shaft portion of connection member or bolt 104, yet smaller than the outer diameter of the head portion of connection member or bolt 104. Accordingly, the spring 103 may receive and retain the shaft portion of connection member or bolt 104. In one or more examples of embodiments, the connection member 104 may be formed of stainless steel, die cast aluminum, injection molded plastic, composite material or by any other known and suitable materials, processes or methods of sufficient strength to maintain a connection between a mailbox 140 and the indicator assembly 100 while supporting operation of the indicator assembly 100. As discussed in greater detail below, the connection member 104 may connect to mailbox 140.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the indicator assembly 100 may include a retention assembly or string or cord or chain 105 for retaining the signal device 102 in position on the mailbox 140. The retention assembly 105 may include a first end 106 and a second end 107. As illustrated, the first end 106 of the retention assembly 105 may be attached to the rod member 101 by a connection member 108. The connection member 108 may include two apertures, one for receiving a portion of the rod member 101 and one for receiving the first end 106 of the retention assembly 105. In one or more examples of embodiments, the retention assembly 105 may be directly connected to the rod member 101, for example, but not limited to, attachment by adhesive, weld, or by a ferrule or ring received by the retention assembly 105 and adapted to receive the rod member 101. Further, in one or more examples of embodiments, the retention assembly 105 may be formed of wire, natural fiber, synthetic fiber, artificial fiber, stainless steel interlocking chain, or any other natural or synthetic material having sufficient strength to maintain the indicator assembly 100 in an undelivered or loaded position and is suitable for outdoor use, including, but not limited to, resistance to corrosion or wear caused by adverse weather conditions or the elements.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the second end 107 of the retention assembly 105 may optionally include a retention device 109. Generally, the retention device 109 may have an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the retention assembly 105, which may assist in retention of the retention assembly 105 within the mailbox 140. The retention device 109 may be connected to the retention assembly 105 by any other known and suitable process or method, including, but not limited to, weld or adhesive. In one or more examples of embodiments, and illustrated in FIG. 2, the retention device 109 may include an aperture or passage for receiving and retaining a portion of the second end 107 of the retention assembly 105. For example, the aperture may have a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the retention assembly 105, enabling the aperture to receive the retention assembly 105. The second end 107 of the retention assembly 105 may then have an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the aperture, for example by attachment of a cap or placement of a knot, restricting removal of the retention device 109 from the retention assembly 105. In one or more examples of embodiments the retention device 109 may be spherical, triangular, polygonal or any other known shape. Further, in one or more examples of embodiments the retention device 109 may be formed of stainless steel, plastic, die cast aluminum, composite material or any other known and suitable material.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the indicator assembly 100 may be attached to a mailbox 140. The mailbox 140 may include an upper portion 141, a lower portion 142, a first side portion 143, a second side portion 144, a rear portion 145 and an outer portion 146. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the mailbox 140 may also include a substantially hollow inner portion 147. As shown in FIG. 3, upper portion 141 and lower portion 142 may extend generally parallel to one another along all or a portion of the mailbox 140. Similarly, the first side portion 143 and second side portion 144 may extend generally parallel to one another and extend generally longitudinally along all or a portion of the mailbox 140. The first side portion 143 and second side portion 144 may be spaced apart from each other by the upper portion 141 and the lower portion 142. Further, the first side portion 143 and second side portion 144 may be spaced apart from each other by the rear portion 145. The mailbox 140 may be constructed of stainless steel, plastic, or any other material approved for use by the United States Postal Service or any other postal service governing body. The mailbox 140 may also include a semaphore arm 148, which may be attached to the outer portion 146 of the second side portion 144.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-3 and 5, the mailbox 140 may include a mailbox door 150. The mailbox door 150 may be attached to the mailbox 140 by a hinge 151, enabling pivotal movement of the mailbox door 150 in relation to the mailbox 140. The mailbox door 150 may further include a latch assembly 152 which may act as a lever to assist a user in pivoting the mailbox door 150 to access the inner portion 147. In one or more examples of embodiments, the latch assembly 152 may assist in maintaining the mailbox door 150 in communication with the mailbox 140, otherwise known as the closed position. The mailbox door 150 may include a lip or flange 153 adapted to fit over the outer portion 146 of the mailbox 140 to prevent precipitation from entering the inner portion 147. In one or more examples of embodiments, the mailbox door 150 may be adapted to fit within the inner portion 147 of the mailbox 140. Accordingly, the mailbox 140 may include a flange extending a distance into the inner portion 147 and adapted to receive a portion of the mailbox door 150.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the indicator assembly 100 may be attached to the upper portion 141 of the mailbox 140. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the mailbox connection member 104 may include a threaded portion 123. The threaded portion 123 may be received through an aperture or passage (not shown) in the upper portion 141 of the mailbox 140. Once received into the inner portion 147 of mailbox 140, the threaded portion 123 may mate with a washer 124 and/or a threaded fastener or nut 126, connecting the indicator assembly 100 to the mailbox 140. In one or more example of embodiments, the mailbox connection member 104 may include an aperture or channel having a threaded portion for receiving a threaded member, such as a bolt. Accordingly, the bolt may be placed in the inner portion 147 of mailbox 140 with the threaded portion of the bolt positioned through an aperture or passage in mailbox 140 toward the outer portion 146 of mailbox 140. The threaded portion of the bolt may then be received by the corresponding threaded channel of the connection member 104 to connect the indicator assembly 100 to the mailbox 140. Further, in one or more example of embodiments, the indicator assembly 100 may be attached or connected to the first side portion 143, second side portion 144, or rear portion 145. In one or more examples of embodiments, the indicator assembly 100 may be positioned near, but not in direct contact with mailbox 140, for example, but not limited to, anchoring the indicator assembly 100 into nearby ground or to a mailbox support or post. In one or more examples of embodiments, the indicator assembly 100 may be attached or connected to the mailbox 140 by weld, adhesive, or any other permanent or semi-permanent attachment method with sufficient strength to enable operation of the indicator assembly 100.

In operation and use, engagement and disengagement of the indicator assembly 100 from the mailbox 140 may be accomplished by manual actuation of the retention assembly 105. FIG. 2 illustrates the indicator assembly 100 in the delivered or extended or unloaded position. Preferably, in the unloaded position, the indicator assembly 100 may be positioned generally orthogonal to the mailbox 140. Further, the spring 103 may be in an unbiased state. Accordingly, the flag 102 may be extended a distance away from the mailbox 140, enabling a mail recipient to visually see the flag 102 from a distance.

To place the indicator assembly 100 into an undelivered or unextended or loaded position, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, a user may apply force on the retention assembly 105, resulting in the retention assembly 105 being moved toward the mailbox door 150. The force applied to the retention assembly 105 translates to force against the bias of spring 103. Accordingly, as the retention assembly 105 moves toward the mailbox door 150, the spring 103 will flex to enable the connected rod member 101 and flag 102 to move toward the mailbox 140. With the mailbox door 150 open and providing access to the inner portion 147 of the mailbox 140, the user may place the second end 107 of the retention assembly 105 into the inner portion 147 while maintaining force upon the retention assembly 105. The user may then close the mailbox door 150 by pivoting the mailbox door 150 toward the mailbox 140. The user may concurrently release the force applied to the retention assembly 105, as a portion of the retention assembly 105 is compressed between the mailbox door 150 and mailbox 140. In one or more examples of embodiments, the user may apply force on the retention device 109 to move the retention assembly 105 toward the mailbox door 150.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, when the indicator assembly 100 is placed in the loaded position, the second end 107 of the retention assembly 105 is retained within the inner portion 147 of mailbox 140. The indicator assembly 100 may be maintained in the loaded position as a portion of the retention assembly 105 is compressed between the mailbox door 150 and mailbox 140. In one or more examples of embodiments, and as illustrated in FIG. 5, the indicator assembly 100 may further be maintained in the loaded position by the retention device 109. As described above, the outer diameter of the retention device 109 may have an outer diameter which is larger than the outer diameter of the retention assembly 105. Accordingly, if the mailbox door 150 unintentionally opens or separates from the mailbox 140 a distance sufficient to release the compression placed upon a portion of the retention assembly 105, the indicator assembly 100 will not release to the unloaded position unless the distance between the mailbox door 150 and mailbox 140 is larger than the outer diameter of the retention device 109. To maintain the indicator assembly 100 in the unloaded position upon loss of compression upon a portion of the retention assembly 105, the retention device 109 will contact a portion of the mailbox door 150 and inner portion 147 of mailbox 140, applying a counter force to the bias of spring 103.

Upon mail delivery, a letter carrier or postal service employee will open the mailbox door 150. Consequently, the postal service employee will release the compression upon a portion of the retention assembly 105 applied by the mailbox door 150 and mailbox 140. Further, the postal service employee may open the mailbox door 150 a distance from the mailbox 140 greater than the outer diameter of the retention device 109. In effect, no force will be applied to the retention assembly 105 and the spring 103 will release any bias and return to an unbiased state. Concurrently the attached rod member 101 and flag 102 will move away from the mailbox 140 to the unloaded position, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The indicator assembly 100 now signals delivery of mail by the postal service.

The foregoing embodiments provide advantages over currently available devices. In particular the mailbox delivery indicator assembly and associated features described herein consistently notifies a mail recipient of mail arrival by extending into a delivered position upon the opening of the mailbox door. This reduces wasted time from unnecessary or repeated trips to the mailbox to ascertain whether mail has been delivered, as the mail recipient may look at the indicator assembly from a distance to determine the status of mail delivery. Further, by signaling mail delivery and eliminating repeated trips to the mailbox by a mail recipient, the indicator assembly reduces the risk of various injury, including, but not limited to, fall, collision or impact from vehicles near a curbside mailbox, and/or exposure to adverse or hazardous weather conditions. In addition, the indicator assembly provides a reminder to a mail recipient suffering from cognitive disorders resulting in short term memory loss, including dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Accordingly, the suffering mail recipient is provided a visual reminder of the status of mail delivery based upon the positioning of the indicator assembly. This results in avoidance of repeated trips to the mailbox caused by failure to remember the mail delivery status from the prior trip. Additionally, actuating the indicator assembly into a delivered position requires no unusual or affirmative acts or steps by a letter carrier or postal service employee. The letter carrier need only open the mailbox door, a standard act or step during delivery of mail, to trigger the indicator assembly into a delivered position. Accordingly, operation of the indicator assembly does not create any additional work for the letter carrier.

Although various representative embodiments of this invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventive subject matter set forth in the specification and claims. Joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. In some instances, in methodologies directly or indirectly set forth herein, various steps and operations are described in one possible order of operation, but those skilled in the art will recognize that steps and operations may be rearranged, replaced, or eliminated without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A mailbox delivery indicator assembly comprising: a flag connected to a rod member; the rod member connected to a spring; the spring connected to a mailbox connection member; and a retention assembly in communication with the rod member, such that the indicator assembly signals delivery of mail.
 2. The mailbox delivery indicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the mailbox connection member is in communication with a mailbox.
 3. The mailbox delivery indicator assembly of claim 2, wherein the mailbox connection member is a bolt connected to the mailbox by a nut.
 4. The mailbox delivery indicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the retention assembly includes a retention device.
 5. A mailbox delivery indicator assembly comprising: a signal device having a channel; a rod member having a first end and a second end, the first end of the rod member received by the channel of the signal device; a biasing member in communication with the second end of the rod member; a connection member in communication with the biasing member; and a retention assembly in communication with the rod member.
 6. The mailbox delivery indicator assembly of claim 5, further comprising a mailbox in communication with the connection member.
 7. The mailbox delivery indicator assembly of claim 6, further comprising: the connection member includes a threaded portion; the mailbox includes an upper portion, a lower portion, a first side portion, a second side portion, a rear portion, an outer portion and an inner portion, the upper portion having an aperture to receive the threaded portion of the connection member from the outer portion into the inner portion; and a threaded fastener to mate with the threaded portion of the connection member in the inner portion of the mailbox.
 8. The mailbox delivery indicator assembly of claim 5, wherein the retention assembly comprises a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the rod member and the second end in communication with a retention device.
 9. A method of using a mailbox delivery indicator assembly comprising: opening a mailbox door on a mailbox; applying a force on the mailbox delivery indicator assembly sufficient to place a bias on a biasing member; placing a retention assembly of the mailbox delivery indicator assembly between the mailbox and mailbox door; closing the mailbox door; and compressing the retention assembly between the mailbox door and the mailbox.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: opening the mailbox door; and releasing the bias on the biasing member. 